Pakistan among top ten importers of US grown pulses and lentils: JoAnne Wagner

KARACHI: Pakistan is presently among the top ten importers in the world for each of the cool season pulses including chickpeas, lentils, and dry peas, registered participants of a seminar jointly organized here by Office of Agricultural Affairs, US embassy and the USA Dry Pea and Lentil Council.

Consul General of USA, JoAnne Wagner also attended the event that provided an opportunity to the participants in highlighting US pulses exports to Pakistan and its continued expansion.

“The relationship between Pakistani buyers and US suppliers should be cultivated to build an understanding of each other needs and capabilities as well as establish mutual trust in doing business together,” Consul General JoAnne Wagner commented on the occasion.

She emphasized that opportunities for trade between the two countries were truly endless and appreciated that the seminar, “USA Pulses – the Standard for Quality,” being held for the first time in Karachi had drawn a significant attendance from concerned sectors.

Imports from the United States was said to mostly consist of chickpeas, lentils, and yellow peas and that the U.S. pulse industry believes that exports to Pakistan will grow steadily over the next several years.

The US industry representatives at the meeting shared production, consumption, and export outlook for US pulses, while the Pakistanis discussed market opportunities and challenges.

It was observed that the selling advantage of the US pulses was the high and consistent quality that can be provided to Pakistan.

“We are very proud to be working with USA dry pea and lentil council, their members, and the Pakistan Pulses Importers Association,” said Casey Bean, Agricultural Counselor at the US.

“Whether part of a traditional Pakistani meal or something uniquely American, I am sure that our pulses will find a welcome spot at the table,” he commented.

Also present on the occasion were Jeffery Pevenage, President and CEO, Columbia Grain International, Brett Melvin, Trader, Maviga Incorporation, Jeffrey Rumney, Vice President of Marketing, USA Dry Pea and Lentil Council and the American Pulse Association, Joel Woodward, Business Development Manager, AgriSource Co. Ltd, Anis Majid, Chairman, Bombi’s Group and Patron-in-Chief of Karachi Wholesale Grocers Association (KWGA), and Muhammad Ahmed, CEO, AWAM Group and President of Pakistan Pulses Importers Association (PPIA).